ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3102-0907
Current Organisation
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: IEEE
Date: 12-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Date: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACTBIO.2014.02.019
Abstract: The development of suitable scaffolds plays a significant role in tissue engineering research. Although scaffolds with promising features have been produced via a variety of innovative methods, there are no fully synthetic tissue engineering scaffolds that possess all the desired properties in one three-dimensional construct. Herein, we report the development of novel polyester poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) sponges that display many of the desirable scaffold characteristics. Our novel synthetic approach utilizes acidchloride/alcohol chemistry, whereby the reaction between a hydroxyl end-functionalized 4-arm PEG and sebacoyl chloride resulted in cross-linking and simultaneous hydrogen chloride gas production, which was exploited for the in situ formation of highly interconnected pores. Variation of the fabrication conditions, including the precursor volume and concentration, allowed the pore size and structure as well as the compressive properties to be tailored. The sponges were found to possess excellent elastic properties, preserving their shape even after 80% compressive strain without failure. The benign properties of the sponges were demonstrated in an in vivo subcutaneous rat model, which also revealed uniform infiltration of vascularized tissue by 8 weeks and complete degradation of the sponges by 16 weeks, with only a minimal inflammatory response being observed over the course of the experiments.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-08-2007
Abstract: To investigate the potential of inflammation to induce new adipose tissue formation in the in vivo environment. Using an established model of in vivo adipogenesis, a silicone chamber containing a Matrigel and fibroblast growth factor 2 (1 microg/ml) matrix was implanted into each groin of an adult male C57Bl6 mouse and vascularized with the inferior epigastric vessels. Sterile inflammation was induced in one of the two chambers by suspending Zymosan-A (ZA) (200-0.02 microg/ml) in the matrix at implantation. Adipose tissue formation was assessed at 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks. ZA induced significant adipogenesis in an inverse dose-dependent manner (P<0.001). At 6 weeks adipose tissue formation was greatest with the lowest concentrations of ZA and least with the highest. Adipogenesis occurred both locally in the chamber containing ZA and in the ZA-free chamber in the contralateral groin of the same animal. ZA induced a systemic inflammatory response characterized by elevated serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels at early time points. Aminoguanidine (40 microg/ml) inhibited the adipogenic response to ZA-induced inflammation. Adipose tissue formed in response to ZA remained stable for 24 weeks, even when exposed to the normal tissue environment. These results demonstrate that inflammation can drive neo-adipogenesis in vivo. This suggests the existence of a positive feedback mechanism in obesity, whereby the state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, characteristic of the condition, may promote further adipogenesis. The mobilization and recruitment of a circulating population of adipose precursor cells is likely to be implicated in this mechanism.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-02-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-03-2014
Abstract: Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are responsible for maintaining the transparency of the human cornea. Loss of CECs results in blindness, requiring corneal transplantation. In this study, fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel films (PHFs) for the regeneration and transplantation of CECs is described. The 50-μm thin hydrogel films have similar or greater tensile strengths to human corneal tissue. Light transmission studies reveal that the films are >98% optically transparent, while in vitro degradation studies demonstrate their biodegradation characteristics. Cell culture studies demonstrate the regeneration of sheep corneal endothelium on the PHFs. Although sheep CECs do not regenerate in vivo, these cells proliferate on the films with natural morphology and become 100% confluent within 7 d. Implantation of the PHFs into live sheep corneas demonstrates the robustness of the films for surgical purposes. Regular slit l examinations and histology of the cornea after 28 d following surgery reveal minimal inflammatory responses and no toxicity, indicating that the films are benign. The results of this study suggest that PHFs are excellent candidates as platforms for the regeneration and transplantation of CECs as a result of their favorable biocompatibility, degradability, mechanical, and optical properties.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOS.2015.10.022
Abstract: A safe, compact and robust means of wireless energy transfer across the skin barrier is a key requirement for implantable electronic devices. One possible approach is photovoltaic (PV) energy delivery using optical illumination at near infrared (NIR) wavelengths, to which the skin is highly transparent. In the work presented here, a subcutaneously implantable silicon PV cell, operated in conjunction with an external NIR laser diode, is developed as a power delivery system. The biocompatibility and long-term biostability of the implantable PV is ensured through the use of an hermetic container, comprising a transparent diamond capsule and platinum wire feedthroughs. A wavelength of 980 nm is identified as the optimum operating point based on the PV cell's external quantum efficiency, the skin's transmission spectrum, and the wavelength dependent safe exposure limit of the skin. In bench-top experiments using an external illumination intensity of 0.7 W/cm(2), a peak output power of 2.7 mW is delivered to the implant with an active PV cell dimension of 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.06 mm(3). This corresponds to a volumetric power output density of ~20 mW/mm(3), significantly higher than power densities achievable using inductively coupled coil-based approaches used in other medical implant systems. This approach paves the way for further ministration of bionic implants.
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 23-01-2014
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 06-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.EXER.2008.06.016
Abstract: Limbal stem cell deficiency leads to conjunctivalisation of the cornea and subsequent loss of vision. The recent development of transplantation of ex-vivo lified corneal epithelium, derived from limbal stem cells, has shown promise in treating this challenging condition. The purpose of this research was to compare a variety of cell sheet carriers for their suitability in creating a confluent corneal epithelium from lified limbal stem cells. Cadaveric donor limbal cells were cultured using an explant technique, free of 3T3 feeder cells, on a variety of cell sheet carriers, including denuded amniotic membrane, Matrigel, Myogel and stromal extract. Comparisons in rate of growth and degree of differentiation were made, using immunocytochemistry (CK3, CK19 and ABCG2). The most rapid growth was observed on Myogel and denuded amniotic membrane, these two cell carriers also provided the most reliable substrata for achieving confluence. The putative limbal stem cell marker, ABCG2, stained positively on cells grown over Myogel and Matrigel but not for those propagated on denuded amniotic membrane. In the clinical setting amniotic membrane has been demonstrated to provide a suitable carrier for limbal stem cells and the resultant epithelium has been shown to be successful in treating limbal stem cell deficiency. Myogel may provide an alternative cell carrier with a further reduction in risk as it is has the potential to be derived from an autologous muscle biopsy in the clinical setting.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOMATERIALS.2010.05.008
Abstract: Highly porous and biodegradable hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and cystamine (Cys) were fabricated using epoxy-amine chemistry and investigated as scaffolds for soft-tissue engineering. Whereas the application of fused-salt templates provided a comprehensive interconnecting pore morphology, the incorporation of a specially designed poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) cross-linker provided enhanced mechanical function without adversely effecting the scaffolds positive biological interactions. The addition of only 1.2 wt% of the PCL cross-linker was sufficient to provide improvements in the ultimate stress of 30-40%. In vitro studies not only confirmed the non-cytotoxic nature of the scaffolds, but also their degradation products, which were isolated and characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI ToF MS). In vivo trials were conducted over a period of 8 weeks through implantation of the scaffolds into the dorsal region of rats. At both 2 and 8 week time points the explants revealed complete infiltration by the surrounding tissue and the development of a vascular network to support the newly generated tissue, without an excessive foreign-body response.
No related grants have been discovered for Bianca Deans.